noun
figure
FIH-guh
noun
1
A number or numerical value.
"Sales figures were up ten percent this quarter."
2
The shape of a person’s body.
"She kept in shape and was proud of her figure."
3
A person considered in terms of their public role or influence.
"He became a leading figure in the civil rights movement."
4
A diagram or illustration used to convey information.
"See Figure 2 for a breakdown of the results."
verb
1
To think, guess, or conclude something.
"I figured you’d be running late."
2
To calculate or work something out.
"Let me figure out how much we owe."
How to Use Figure
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA number, a diagram, a person’s body shape, or a notable person — and as a verb, to work something out or assume something.
Common pairings
figure out
a key figure
sales figures
Word Forms
figured past tense, figures plural, figures singular
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Sales _____ were up ten percent this quarter.
Etymology
From Old French figure, from Latin figura, "shape, form," ultimately from a root meaning "to mold or shape" — the same root behind "dough."